Autorickshaw drivers in Patna would soon find it difficult to drive and stop at will, and pick up as many passengers as possible because police are planning to crack the whip and enforce traffic rules.

From June 10, the police will start a drive to check autorickshaw drivers who drive rashly, creating traffic problems.

Patna city superintendent of police (SP) and traffic SP Jayant Kant on Thursday told The Telegraph: “The traffic situation in Patna is very bad, and the reason behind it are the rash autorickshaw drivers. They stand right in the middle of the road to pick up or drop passengers. It leads to congestion and needs to be stopped at once. Autorickshaws also indulge in rash driving and overloading.”

He added: “The drive to check truant drivers will start on June 10. It will be a continuous one. There will be police teams on different roads and errant drivers will be stopped and penalised immediately.”

Small autorickshaws are not allowed to take more than three passengers. The bigger ones can take four. No passenger is allowed to sit beside the driver.

“Autorickshaw drivers often take more passengers than allowed. But once the drive starts, overloading will not be allowed. Owners of the vehicles will also have to fix an iron rod to prevent passengers from entering from the right side.

“They also need to ensure that the name of the driver, name and address of the autorickshaw owner and other contact details are painted on the rear of the vehicle. The autorickshaw driver has to ensure that he has all the relevant documents. While picking up or dropping passengers, they should move to the side of the road. In many roads, there is a white line and they must ensure that they move to the farthest corner of the road and not obstruct traffic. Overtaking and stopping in the middle of the road is forbidden.”

Commuters have welcomed the police plan.

“The reason for traffic jams in Patna is truant autorickshaw drivers. They have no regard for traffic regulations or human lives. There are many drivers, mostly in Raja Pul-Patliputra route, who are just teenagers. They drive very rashly,” said Rajesh Kumar Singh, a resident of Boring Road.